Apple M2 (8-core) vs Apple M3 Max (16-core)
44Single-core65.6
24.7Multi-core66.5
77.1Efficiency100
26.5Platform66.8
0 spec wins — Apple M2 (8-core)11 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 71.9 to 39.1, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+42) and platform (+40). Apple M2 (8-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger Single-core score: 66 vs 44
- Stronger Multi-core score: 67 vs 25
- Stronger efficiency score: 100 vs 77
- Stronger platform score: 67 vs 27
- 433% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 24 GB
General
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 16+100% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 16+100% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.1 GHz+16% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 10-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 128 GB+433% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,600 | 3,130+20% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,750 | 21,200+117% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,580 | 1,950+23% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,700 | 24,200+178% |
Related comparisons
Apple M2 (8-core)vs Intel Core i7-1360PVSApple M2 (8-core)vs Apple M1 Pro (10-core)VSApple M2 (8-core)vs Apple M1 (8-core)VSApple M2 (8-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100VSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs Apple M4 Pro (14-core)VSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXVSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370VSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HVS